I have previously read Public Battles, Private Wars by Laura Wilkinson and admired her writing style, so was looking forward to delving into her latest offering. I wasn’t disappointed, even though it is completely different from what I expected.

In a way it’s a strange, almost uncomfortable tale, told in both present time and flashback. But it is one I came to understand; so many times we are judged by how we look and the author skilfully handles the characters; they come to life slowly but surely as the story progresses.

The dialogue is realistic and natural; the internal monologues of Cal as an adult are fascinating.

Some sections of the Northern setting in the 1980s were familiar for me and gave a good sense of place. The…

Judith has been reading The Darcy Monolugues anthology by various authors

My Review:

I chose this anthology both out of curiosity and because I’m short on time at the moment so reading short stories suits me. I’m so glad I did. The Darcy Monologues is a collection of fifteen short stories told from Darcy’s point of view and is an outstanding read. The book is divided into two; The Regency’and Other Eras, I found it difficult to decide whichsectionI liked best.

I don’t give spoilers, especially in this case. I think it would be unfair to pick out individual stories to review and not others as, from my perspective, they are all excellently written, Some are portrayed from the first person point of view of Darcy, others from a third person viewpoint. Unusually the…

Jenny has been reading The Internet Made Me Do It by Jennifer Ammoscato

Chic Lit, humour

Another 5 Star novel

This is the second of three books be Jennifer Ammoscato about the delightfully witty ‘would be erotic (with a difference) novelist’ Avery Fowler and her life with her boyfriend, family and friends. I have to say that this novel is just as funny and charming as the first (Dear Internet, it’s Me Avery).

Avery does not rely on Clementine quite as much in this book, but when she does turn to her online advisor, the giggles simply come out of my mouth before I realise it. I have had some rather odd looks from my family, when I interrupt their TV or movie viewing with a rather loud outburst of giggles or laughter when they are not expecting it. But you cannot help…

Faded TV star Gloria Grayson has hit rock bottom. Sacked from her starring role in a top soap, divorced from hell-raising actor ‘Mad’ Tommy Mack, and obese from binge eating, her days as Britain’s sexiest blonde are well and truly over.

Gloria has gained 70 lbs when a paparazzi snaps unflattering photos, and a cruel tabloid article relaunches her career. Instantly, she and her fat, feisty dog Baby-Girl are booked for TV’s Reality Rehab. Gloria is locked up with an American psychotherapist, a rabble of D-list celebrities and umpteen cameras, then put on a starvation diet. But worse is to come, with the shock arrival of her alcoholic ex-husband.

Safe With Me is a contemporary romantic drama involving themes of fostered children and domestic abuse. The story alternates between the points of view of Katerina (sometimes Kat, sometimes Rina), and Jamie.

The novel opens with Kat in a deeply depressing situation. After a terrible childhood in and out of foster homes, then life on the streets, she has been married for many years to Vic, a criminal who owns a greasy spoon café on a London market. Her life is one of imprisonment, abuse and drudgery, as she works in the café all day every day, and spends her evenings tiptoeing round Vic’s temper. She hates him, but is completely worn down and unable to see a way out. The…

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